Since childhood, characters from the works of Krylov have been walking with us through life. The moral of Krylov’s fable, any of them, often helps us to understand life situations, to draw the right conclusions in a difficult case. We read the fable as such from the early school years! And in our memory these bright images are stored that come to mind when a “stalemate” situation arises. Say, the moral of Krylov’s fable helps us live! And we do not get tired of wondering the insight of the author of the works.
Eternal themes
That will be remembered Moska, barking at the Elephant, trying in vain to give the impression of fearless and brave. And many believe!
That is before the eyes of a Monkey mocking himself, not recognizing his image in the mirror.
That Wolf explains the Lamb that, they say, he is to blame for everything only because he wants to eat Wolf ...
That Monkey (and this is especially true these days!), Not knowing the value of points, smashes on a stone!
All these are the famous fables of Krylov. The moral of each of them, as a rule, is a few capacious words or phrases, rhymed by the author to make it easier to remember. Yes, every moral of Krylov’s fable has long turned into a “winged expression”, as we used to call it! Krylovsky word is sharp!
Some critics say that, allegedly, Ivan Krylov did not write for children at all, and the true meaning of his fables is not understood by children. But the moral of Krylov’s fable, almost to everyone, is written out so clearly that it is clear to everyone, even to a child! And we should hear: "... the moral of this fable is this ..." - Krylov is implied instantly!
Krylov and Aesop
Let us compare the works of Krylov with the works of the famous Greek writer - Aesop (from him came the expression "Aesopian language", the language of allegory). Compared to the fables of Aesop, who lived in the sixth century BC, the fables of Ivan Krylov differ in the national character of the characters. And also with Krylov, the stories are expertly rhymed, have capacious phrases, and are clearly remembered by readers. For example, “The Ant and the Beetle” by Aesop and the “Dragonfly and Ant” by Krylov.
Dragonfly and Ant and Ant and Beetle
So what do these works have in common and how do they differ?
The overall plot, no doubt . Characters also echo each other. But with Aesop, the Beetle will sympathize with the Ant, and the Ant, in turn, is limited only by the statement of the reproach: "If you worked, you would not be sitting without food." The position of the Russian fabulist is much tougher in relation to the loafers and parasites: "so go, dance!"
Dragonfly and Beetle are somewhat similar (probably because insects are both!), But their behavior in both cases determines the reaction of the Ant. In the case of Aesop, this is a milder moralizing, rather, a wish implying sympathy. And in the case of Krylov, we see a direct rebuke and the desire to “go dancing” without any apparent sympathy for the Dragonfly who suffered from the elements.
In addition, Krylov’s plot helps rhyme - and so the fable is better remembered by ear! Krylov is inclined to use national images, to link the plot of the fable to "national realities", and from this the narrative becomes even brighter, even more significant.